Hertfordshire dog and owner become Crufts Obedience champions

Fuddle, a Golden Retriever/Border Collie cross and his owner Sue Monk from Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, took home the top obedience prize at Crufts on Sunday 9 March, after winning the Obedience Championship (Dog) final. The judge was Sarah Delany.

Four-year-old Fuddle (Ob Ch Janjelly Fuddled Boy), came first in the final held at the world’s greatest dog show, Crufts, after competing against some of Britain’s best dogs for the coveted title.

All competitors at the championships had made it through to the final after qualifying at one of the championship shows that were held last year.

Proud owner Sue said: “I am absolutely over the moon with my special boy. Fuddle is a beautiful dog with a fabulous nature, who worked his socks off and enjoyed every minute of competing at Crufts. I’m still on cloud nine and keep reliving the special moment of being called as the winners. It’s a huge honour and a dream come true.”

Helen Kerfoot, Crufts Show Manager, said: “A huge congratulations to Fuddle and Sue for their impressive display in the ring today and their well-deserved win. Fuddle demonstrated excellent obedience skills, and the strong bond and teamwork between them was clear to see. 

“Obedience competitors travel from all over the UK to showcase their skills at Crufts, and the standard of dogs and handlers continues to be incredibly impressive.” 

Crufts took place between 6-9 March 2025 at the NEC, Birmingham. For more information and results from the show, visit Crufts website.  

BELGIAN SHEPHERD MALINOIS FROM CHESHIRE CROWNED GOOD CITIZEN PRE-BEGINNER OBEDIENCE STAKES WINNER AT CRUFTS 2025

Havoc, a one-year-old Belgian Shepherd Malinois from Altrincham, Cheshire, and his owner Sarah Kelly, has triumphed at Crufts by winning the Good Citizen Pre-Beginner Obedience Stakes Competition on Saturday 8 March.

Havoc beat 30 other talented dogs to be crowned the winner of the 2025 Good Citizen Pre-Beginner Stakes competition at the world’s greatest dog show, with the final overseen by highly experienced judge, Frank Herron. This was the 20th year the final has been held at Crufts.

Speaking after their win, delighted Sarah said: “We’re absolutely over the moon to have won! We didn’t expect it at all – he has been competing for less than a year as he still isn’t two yet so I wasn’t sure how he would handle it. He wasn’t fazed at all though and wagged his tail the whole time – I’m not sure which of us enjoyed it the most!”

The Good Citizen Dog Training scheme (GCDTS) competition was first held in 2005 to encourage owners of dogs who have passed their GCDTS Bronze Award to take part in obedience competitions as a potential gateway into dog exhibition. The exercises included in the test are a combination of current GCDTS exercises and the Pre-Beginner Obedience test. Building on the basic training skills learnt through the Good Citizen Dog Training scheme, this stakes class helps to bridge the gap between basic training and entering a competition. Dogs must have obtained their Good Citizen Bronze Award prior to the closing date of the show.

Dogs competing in the final had to qualify at one of the 31 heats held across the country last year with the winner from each heat qualifying for the final.

Sue Garner, Good Citizen Dog Training Scheme Working Party Chairman, added: “Congratulations to Havoc and Sarah who performed a first-class round, and demonstrated the skills they have learnt through the Good Citizen Dog Training scheme.

“The standard of competitors was very high so the pair should be proud of their achievement. The Pre-Beginner Stakes are a great way for dogs and owners to enter the obedience world and strengthen their bond – something that was clear to see with Sarah and Havoc, and I wish them luck in the future.”

To find out more about the Good Citizen Dog Training Scheme visit the website gcds.org.uk

Crufts took place between 6 – 9 March 2025 at the NEC, Birmingham. For more information and results from the show, visit crufts.org.uk.   

KC News release: Border Collie from Warwickshire becomes Crufts Obedience champion

Lyric, an 11-year-old Border Collie and her owner, Mary Ray from Rugby, Warwickshire, took home the top obedience prize at Crufts on Saturday 8 March, after winning the Obedience Championship (Bitches) final. The judge was Sarah Delany.

Lyric (Ob Ch Sarkam Sings The Blues) came first in the final held at the world’s greatest dog show, Crufts, after competing against some of Britain’s best dogs for the coveted title. This is the second time the pair have won the Championship, having previously been awarded the title in 2022.

Proud owner Mary said: “Lyric is my very special girl, so I was thrilled to win with her for the second time. She is always happy and gives me her all.”

All competitors at the championships had made it through to the final after qualifying at one of the championship shows that were held last year.

Helen Kerfoot, Crufts Show Manager, said: “A huge congratulations to Lyric and Mary for their impressive display in the ring and their well-deserved win. Lyric demonstrated excellent obedience skills, and the strong bond and teamwork between them was clear to see.

“Obedience competitors travel from all over the UK to showcase their skills at Crufts, and the standard of dogs and handlers continues to be incredibly impressive.”

Crufts took place from 6-9 March 2025 at the NEC, Birmingham. For more information and results from the show, visit crufts.org.uk.

THE KENNEL CLUB INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR CHAMPIONSHIP OBEDIENCE STATUS

The Kennel Club wishes to advise obedience competitors that Govan & District Dog Training Club has relinquished their championship obedience status with immediate effect.

Any society that would be interested in applying for future championship obedience status should submit a presentation for consideration. Please note that it will be necessary to select a date which does not coincide with another championship obedience show. An application from a club which already holds a championship obedience show will also be considered.

Applications should include details of the society’s committee structure and show management team, as well as information on the proposed show venue and its facilities available for judges, competitors, dogs and spectators.

Presentations should be submitted to the Working Dog Activities team at The Kennel Club at obedience@thekennelclub.org.uk by 17 November 2023.

Conduct at Kennel Club licensed events and on social media

The Kennel Club Board and the Disciplinary Committee have endorsed the introduction of further regulatory support to help ensure all those taking part in or attending licensed events behave in a responsible and a respectful manner.

It is the responsibility of all participants to uphold the core values of courtesy and respect surrounding canine activities. Alongside this, those same values ought to be in play on social media in the context of comments and opinions being expressed about participants at Kennel Club licensed events. This new measure introduces a system for issuing yellow and red cards in response to unacceptable behaviour at Kennel Club licensed events and on social media (in the context of licensed events).

The issue of a yellow card in response to unacceptable conduct will indicate that should there be a further incident and / or repetition of a complaint on a similar issue, then the yellow card will escalate to a red card status.

A red card status will result in an automatic fixed period of 60/90 days for refusal of entry and attending Kennel Club licensed events – and such period will be aligned with any relevant competition or event season.

Continue reading Conduct at Kennel Club licensed events and on social media

Crufts 2024 South East & East Anglia Inter Regional Obedience Team Applications

TRY-OUT DATES AND VENUES FOR South East & East Anglia Team

Inter-Regional Obedience COMPETITION CRUFTS 2023

We have chosen two venues & dates in different parts of the SE&EA area for the try-outs and hope that all potential entrants will be able to get to one or other of the venues.

TRY OUT 1 is on Saturday 4th November 2023, starting 9.30am at:

Knowl Hill Village Hall
 (Thames D.T.C Hall)

           The Terrace                                                                                               

          Bath Road

           Maidenhead

           RG10 9XB

TRY OUT 2 is on Sunday 12th November 2023, start 9.30am at:                                2

           Pebmarsh Village Hall (Halstead D.O.C. Hall)                          1                                                                          

           The Street

            Pebmarsh

            Halstead

            Essex

            CO9 2NG                                                                                                        

THE FINAL SELECTION DATE AND VENUE

At the above two try-out days a number of handlers and breeds will be invited to attend a final    selection day when the SE&EA team will be chosen.

This will be held on Saturday 9th December 2023, start 10.00am at:

           Flaunden Hall

            89, Birch Lane

            Flaunden (Near Bovingdon)

            Hemel Hempstead

            Hertfordshire

            HP3 0PW

Crufts 2024 Midlands Inter Regional Obedience Team Applications

Midlands Area Crufts Inter Regional Obedience Team Selection Day Sunday 26th November 2023

at Tomlinsons Canine Center, Markfield, Leicester. LE67 9RJ

Applications to: Lou Jackson, Comox, Harrisons Lane, Gailey, Stafford ST19 5PS

or to email johnjackson123@btinternet.com

More info from Lou on 07831397080, please leave a message.

Applications closing 12th Nov. 2023.